"Their payment is necessary, Madora. If they can't give the mafia cash, they give a life. It's up to you what to do with that life. Either way, they'll need to be trained."

His last words. Nothing along the lines of I love you, or I'm proud of you. My father was definitely a hard man. I guess I followed in his footsteps, becoming cold and harsh. After leaving school and learning the business, I understood why he never showed emotion. He never gave off that my mother and I were his weaknesses. In all my life I had never seen my father show my mother any affection.

I'm surprised I was even created.

I didn't grow up in a loving environment, or even a caring and happy environment. My upbringing was filled with blood and violence.

So, I really shouldn't have been surprised when Adelaide, a somewhat short, freckled redhead came bursting through the doors of my office.

"Madora-" she paused, breathing heavily and stumbled towards my desk. Fearful couldn't describe how I felt when I saw the bottom of her top covered in blood. Adelaide was my best friend, I considered her my sister.

Her forehead had beads of sweat and her already pale skin was becoming porcelain.

"What happened?" It was brass, I know. "I thought you were with Kingsley."

She nodded, her arm wrapped around her stomach moved to show a knife plunged deep into her abdomen. I could visibly see her skin paling as we spoke. Then, she dropped.

Luckily landing on her side, but that's what made me rush to my phone. I was glad to have a couple medics ready, being in a mafia, it was necessary.

They knocked before they entered the office, it was a routine with everyone within our 'family'. Then, they took her. My mind screamed at me to follow, to make sure they performed their best to ensure Adelaide's survival.

I didn't act on those thoughts. I couldn't.

One of the mafia fighters slipped in past the medics, his eyes following as the went past him before flickering to me. A cocked eyebrow and he lowered his gaze slightly. "Payment?"

He nodded. "It's on its way. They'd couldn't afford cash so there'll be a new member to add to the training groups."

Seeing the lack of comfort in his features cause a scowl to build on my own. Most of the time no one, especially not the fighters, showed any kind of expression around me. It was normally just a blank canvas.

"You're worried about something." I murmured bluntly, crossing my arms and leaning against the large, wooden desk.

Compared to everyone else, I was rather small. Tall, but slim. My mother use to describe me as thin-boned. This male in front of me could easily snap me in half, but instead of informing me, he simply shook his head and left.

The door swung shut after him, the bang and click of it closing echoed around the office.

I never gave the mafia answers, so they decided to give me none.